Russian Journal of Dentistry

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates a role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis. As active participants in cellular metabolic and energy processes, mitochondria constitute key components of oxidative stress pathways.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the potential use of mitochondria-targeted agents as part of comprehensive therapy for inflammatory periodontal diseases.

METHODS: An experimental study of the effect of the mitochondria-targeted agent 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside on periodontitis was conducted. Male Wistar rats (Rattus Wistar) aged 4 months with a body weight of 221.0 ± 7.5 g were used in the study. Five experimental groups were formed: a control group (healthy animals); animals with experimentally induced periodontitis; main group I, in which periodontitis was treated with topical application of a gel containing metronidazole and chlorhexidine for 7 days; main group II, in which periodontitis was treated with topical application of the metronidazole-chlorhexidine gel combined with simultaneous oral administration of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside also for 7 days; main group III, in which periodontitis was treated with topical application of the metronidazole- chlorhexidine gel followed by topical administration of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside, also for 7 days. Mitochondrial alterations in periodontal tissues were investigated using molecular genetic analysis of characteristics of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), as well as biochemical assessment of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione.

RESULTS: Mitochondrial alterations characteristic of experimental periodontitis were largely reversed following treatment with a metronidazole–chlorhexidine gel, with up to 80% normalization based on mtDNA amplification metrics and mutation frequency (up to 7%). The addition of a mitochondria-targeted agent resulted in a more pronounced improvement, reaching 97% normalization in mtDNA quantity and reducing mutation frequency to 2%. Oxidative stress associated with periodontitis decreased after treatment with the metronidazole–chlorhexidine gel, as reflected by an 18% reduction in MDA concentration and a 32% increase in glutathione concentration. With combined therapy including the mitochondria-targeted agent administered after gel treatment (main group III), а 57% reduction in MDA concentration and a 49% increase in glutathione concentration were recorded.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates improvement in mitochondrial parameters in periodontal tissues following completion of therapy for experimental periodontitis using a metronidazole-chlorhexidine gel and its combination with a mitochondria-targeted agent. Incorporation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside into the treatment regimen produced a more pronounced therapeutic effect, as evidenced by the parameters of mtDNA amplification quantity and mutant copies frequency and by markers of oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: An in-depth evaluation of oral health status and motivation for preventive and curative dental care, particularly among cement plant workers, allows for a comprehensive assessment of this issue by incorporating analysis of self-reported complaints and identifying key areas for the development of a targeted preventive program.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate oral health status and motivation for curative dental care among cement plant workers exposed to hazardous working conditions in the Chechen Republic, using self-reported questionnaire data.

METHODS: A survey was conducted using a purpose-designed questionnaire among workers at the Chiri-Yurt Cement Plant (Chechen Republic, Russian Federation). The study included employees aged 35–44 years (n = 56) who were exposed to hazardous occupational factors.

RESULTS: The study revealed an unsatisfactory oral health status, characterized by a high prevalence of partial edentulism (28.6%) and inadequate prosthetic rehabilitation (14.3%), together with the absence of preventive dental examinations as part of mandatory occupational medical examinations. A pronounced discrepancy was identified between workers’ high self-reported oral health status and the number of self-reported dental complaints, as well as between their willingness to pay for prosthetic treatment and their low engagement in preventive dental practices. A substantial prevalence of chronic systemic diseases was observed, predominantly disorders of the musculoskeletal system (17.9%) and gastrointestinal tract (14.3%). Significant associations were found between certain occupational exposures and health disorders.

CONCLUSION: Self-reported general and oral health among cement plant workers exposed to hazardous working conditions highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of oral health status, followed by the development of an integrated preventive and curative program aimed at maintaining work ability among employees of the studied plant.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into dentistry, including implant prosthodontics, data on dentists’ readiness to use these technologies in clinical practice remain limited. Available Russian publications predominantly contain reviews and descriptive studies, whereas a structured assessment of knowledge levels and professional readiness of clinicians and future specialists to use artificial intelligence in clinical practice is largely lacking.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the knowledge and readiness of practicing dentists and senior dental students to use artificial intelligence technologies in implant prosthodontics.

METHODS: This comparative cross-sectional observational study included practicing dentists (n = 30) and senior dental students (n = 23). Inclusion criteria were ≥ 5 years of clinical experience for dentists and enrollment in the senior years of a dental school program for students. Knowledge was assessed using an author-developed questionnaire consisting of 174 closed-ended questions, including a section on artificial intelligence technologies and a section on dental implantology and implant prosthodontics. The primary outcome was the proportion of correct answers overall and within individual sections of the questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and comparisons between groups using nonparametric tests.

RESULTS: The mean proportion of correct answers for the entire questionnaire was 46.9% among dentists and 53.7% among students (p = 0.140). In the artificial intelligence section, students showed a significantly higher proportion of correct responses than dentists (65.6% vs 52.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between groups in the dental implantology and implant prosthodontics section of the questionnaire (p = 0.10–0.11). Internal consistency of the test was high in both groups (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.8).

CONCLUSION: Senior dental students have a higher level of theoretical knowledge of artificial intelligence than practicing dentists, whereas knowledge levels in implant prosthodontics are comparable between groups. These findings indicate a need to develop educational programs aimed at building competencies among practicing dentists in the safe and informed integration of artificial intelligence technologies into clinical practice. Study limitations include the cross-sectional design and the limited sample size.

Foreign body penetration into the maxillary sinus is a rare, predominantly iatrogenic complication of dental procedures, occurring in over 60% of reported cases. Removal of such objects can be challenging due to their proximity to vital anatomical structures. In addition to classical approaches (alveolar or Caldwell–Luc techniques), minimally invasive alternatives exist, including endonasal endoscopic surgery. In some cases, the use of a magnet for extracting metallic foreign bodies can minimize surgical trauma and reduce the risk of complications.

In the present case, a metallic foreign body was incidentally detected in the maxillary sinus during implant treatment planning. The patient was asymptomatic at the initial visit and had last seen a dentist approximately three months prior for tooth extraction. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a hyperdense object in the left maxillary sinus, identified as a surgical bur, likely displaced into the sinus during a previous extraction. After comprehensive assessment of the foreign body’s location relative to maxillary anatomical landmarks, access was planned through the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. The object was removed via the perforation using a magnet, and the wound was sutured. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Although rare, metallic foreign bodies in the maxillary sinus should be considered in the patient’s history, and appropriate diagnostic evaluation is essential. This clinical case demonstrates a minimally invasive technique for removing a metallic foreign body using a magnet. The approach is technically simple, atraumatic, can be performed under local anesthesia, and does not require specialized equipment, including endoscopic instruments.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current scientific evidence regarding the use of palatal mini-implants in orthodontic practice. This paper examines anatomical considerations for placement, including palatal morphology and age-related changes; site selection criteria considering bone density and neurovascular bundle topography; biomechanical principles; clinical indications; and factors associated with success and potential complications.

An analysis of recent clinical studies and systematic reviews demonstrates that this approach provides superior three-dimensional anchorage control, which is critical for achieving planned tooth movement. This level of control allows complex dentoalveolar movements that cannot be achieved using traditional orthodontic mechanics. Moreover, the technique expands treatment possibilities for correcting malocclusions that previously required surgical intervention. The review concludes that integration of palatal mini-implants into routine orthodontic practice substantially improves treatment predictability and efficiency, ensures stable outcomes, reduces treatment duration by minimizing undesirable side effects, and allows avoidance of tooth extractions in selected clinical situations. Overall, this method shows high potential for advancing standards of orthodontic care.

Prevention of inflammation in periodontal and peri-implant tissues remains a fundamental yet insufficiently studied challenge in contemporary dentistry, retaining its clinical relevance. This review aimed to analyze current strategies for preventing and managing periodontal diseases in patients with implant-supported prostheses.

A total of 319 articles were screened from international (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) and Russian (eLIBRARY.RU, CyberLeninka) databases, with 55 publications specifically addressing the treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases included in the analysis.

This review addresses the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, which are among the most common oral diseases. Particular attention is given to supportive periodontal therapy, which aims to stabilize remission of chronic inflammation by reducing microbial load below critical thresholds. A differentiated approach is highlighted as essential, depending on the patient’s condition severity.

Various preventive and therapeutic approaches for managing periodontal diseases in patients with implant-supported dental prostheses are evaluated.

The authors provide a critical analysis of the publications, underscoring the fragmented nature of existing therapeutic approaches, the uncertainty surrounding the multifactorial etiology, and the genetic predisposition of these diseases — factors that frequently limit current treatments to symptomatic management. Given the incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis, contemporary clinical strategies largely focus on optimizing prevention and management through empirical, trial-and-error methods.